I'm back

Hi Everyone,

I have been meaning to start my blogging again, and when a co-worker sent me this picture I thought there was no better was to disseminate it then through this blog! It's a photo of me staring right into the eyes of our new bust of Sir Winston Churchill. We're really happy he is here.

Rosa Parks

http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/other-statues/rosa-parks

Today's unveiling ceremony revealed Rosa Parks in a seated position looking strong and dignified. The artist and historian's design allows us to easily imagine the day she refused to give up her seat on the bus. I am please and honored to work in the same building as Rosa Parks. Click here for more information.

New Woman in the Capitol

There's a new woman inside the Capitol Building. Rosa Parks' statue has been delivered to the Capitol and will be unveiled tomorrow. Rosa Parks is such an important figure in history. Her protest made a big impact on the Civil Right Movement in the United States. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed; she was the first female to lie in state at the Capitol, and this will be the first statue of an African American Woman inside the Capitol. There is a bust of Sojourner Truth in Emancipation Hall. I'm excited to see the statue tomorrow, and to be reminded that positive change is not without struggle.

Oral History

One of the great things about Historic Preservation that many people don't understand is how the profession and study is so interdisciplinary. Sometimes I can find that frustrating; especially when trying to explain to people what I do, but most of the time I enjoy the diversity. One of the subjects I learned about during my undergraduate studies was folklore. All historic preservation majors were required to take one course in the subject, and in the intro class we had to record a World War II veteran's oral history. I haven't done any oral history projects since that class, but I am fascinated by the efforts of others, and hope to do a project of my own one day. The history of a place or building can be enhanced with photos, renderings, and drawings, but there is something about someone telling you a story set in that place that allows you to have a deeper understanding and appreciation. Here is a project that I recently came across. There is such hard work and dedication in this project, it's unbelievable. Theron Humphrey created the project entitled, "This Wild Idea". His goal:

I'm going meet 1 new person a day, everyday, for 365 days. The goal is to make images that age well and increase in value over time; images that will become part of your family story, which we can pass on to the next generation.

A photo from his website and project

Capitol History

Here is a really neat video that chronicles the construction of the U.S. Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol published this along with a pretty extensive summary. http://www.aoc.gov/history/us-capitol-building

hazy morning commute!

Hillwood Estate

On New Years Day, Matt and I visited Hillwood Estate in northwest DC. I am not crazy about house museums, but Matt, having been to Hillwood before, convinced me that this is not one that I want to miss. He was right, the mansion, setting, and art collection was interesting, well maintained, and beautiful. The story behind Marjorie Merriweather Post's home turned museum and gallery was very intriguing. Her relationships may have been somewhat fleeting (she was married four or five times) but her dedication to her Russian and French art collection was a constant throughout her adult life. The pieces include intricate Faberge eggs and picture frames. At one point Matt and I couldn't believe that there weren't security guards all over the place to protect these one-of-a-kind items! I'm thankful for that though, we were able to enjoy the house and Post's collection at our own pace. I also loved that we didn't have to take a guided tour to see everything. The self guided brochure contained answers to all my questions and set the context for each space in the house. Of course, I walked away with questions, but that only makes me want to return to the home that much more!

The Dining Room still decorated for Christmas

They had a great temporary exhibit going on "pret-a-papier"- period costumes constructed of paper!

Make Over for the Old Post Office

Unfortunately, I missed DC Preservation League's Annual Meeting at the Old Post Office. At the event last week, the Trump Organization and Design Team released their redevelopment plan for the historic building. Here is a slideshow of what they propose and a brief history of the building. What do you think? Personally, I think the reuse of the building is perfect for a hotel and the huge center laylight is perfect for illuminating the building with natural light. The presentation does not discuss the exterior of the building or the notable clock tower. I hope they keep the clock tower open to the public! What a great view.

Luisa Pascalis de Thomas's pintrest

Here Goes Nothin'

So...writing on this blank slate is a little intimidating... but I'm sure I will become accustom to sharing bits and pieces on here as time passes. I intend to use this blog to share my experiences with you as a new young professional who lives on Capitol Hill. I'm a preservationist, so this blog will center around my experiences with local businesses, neighborhoods, and communities in the DC area. I want it to be fun and relevant, so we'll discuss other things as well!